Apparatus and method for guiding and containing a boat for use in conjunction with a boat-docking device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for centering a boat in a boat docking device, such as a boat lift, having a chute into which the boat is directed. The chute being attached to the docking device using lever and fulcrum assemblies that allow the chute to be tailored to the specific application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/239,964.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

No federally sponsored research

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” OR OTHER APPENDIX

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to ships and more particularly to vessel raising or docking. The invention is useful for guiding a boat onto or into a boat-docking device such as a lift, slip, trailer, or similar boat securing device (collectively referred to as “docking device” herein), and then holding the boat in the appropriate location until the docking device is activated to secure the boat. Boat docking devices typically require the operator of the boat to maneuver the boat into a rectangular area where the boat is then secured either by lifting, mooring, or some other means. The area where the boat must be positioned to use the docking device is usually slightly larger in size than the boat itself. This means that the boat must be maneuvered into an area that is small, relative to the boat itself. Boats are sometimes made of materials that can be damaged if the boat comes into contact with the docking device. It can be difficult for the operator to maneuver the boat into position without allowing the boat to come into contact with parts of the docking device. Once the boat is positioned in the appropriate area to be secured, the operator must keep the boat in the proper position while the docking device is activated to secure the boat. Both maneuvering the boat into the proper position, and keeping the boat in the proper position, can be difficult if conditions such as wind, waves, or water-currents are present.

2. Description of Related Art

A search of related art revealed various devices designed for the same general purpose, but not of like design or function. U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,226 discloses a boat guide means that attaches to a boat trailer comprised of two pivotally mounted guide means. U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,815 discloses a boat guide means that attachments to a boat trailer comprised of two guide means which pivot to maintain contact with the boat's hull. U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,071 discloses apparatus and methods for centering a boat relevant to a docking device using a series of float-arms.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is comprised of a chute to guide a boat into a boat docking device. The chute is comprised of two lengths of non-ridge linkage, one on either side of the longitudinal center axis of the docking device. One length runs from a point approximately above and behind the back, left corner of the docking device to a point approximately above and in-front of the center of the front of the docking device. In symmetrical fashion, the second length runs from a point approximately above and behind the back, right corner of the docking device to a point approximately above and in-front of the center of the front of the docking device. The invention provides means of attachment of each length of non-rigid linkage to the docking device. Attachment to the docking device is accomplished using four, fixed, lever-fulcrum assemblies.

The four lever-fulcrum assemblies mount to a docking device with the rear assemblies being mounted near the rear corners of the docking device, and the front assemblies being mounted near the front of the docking device inside of the front corners of the docking device. The chute and rear levers guide the boat into place on the docking device. Friction between the boat's hull and the linkages hold the boat in the desired location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention is comprised of very basic components such as levers, fulcrums, and linkages. Each of these basic components can take on various embodiments. The drawings contained herein provide an example of one embodiment of these basic components. This is an example only and not a limitation on the claimed invention.

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lever-fulcrum-mounting plate-mounting arm assembly with attached linkage showing the top of the components.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of a lever-fulcrum-mounting plate-mounting arm assembly with attached linkage showing the bottom of the components.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lever-fulcrum-mounting plate-mounting arm assembly with attached linkage showing the lever fitted with a roller.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the invention mounted on a boat lift without a boat present.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention mounted on a boat lift without a boat present.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention mounted on a boat lift with a boat present.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention mounted on a boat trailer.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention mounted on a boat slip.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the first alternative embodiment in which only one front lever is used and the linkages come together at a point at the top of the single front lever.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view the second alternative embodiment of a lever-fulcrum-mounting plate-mounting arm assembly with top and bottom linkages attached.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the second alternative embodiment mounted on a boat lift in the open position.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the second alternative embodiment mounted on a boat lift in the closed position with the boat in the lift.

REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DRAWINGS Detailed Description of the Invention

12 Docking device 14 Linkages 16 longitudinal center axis 18 Lever 20 Fulcrum 22 Springs 24 Mounting plate 26 Mounting arm 28 Lever set-screws 30 Lever eyelet 32 Bolt attaching lever to fulcrum 34 Roller 36 Holes in fulcrum 38 Bolt fixing movement of levers 44 Holes in plate 48 Mounting arm set-screw 50 Mounting arm clamp 52 Flat broad face of mounting arm

The invention is comprised of a chute for guiding a boat into place in relation to a docking device 12 and a means for attaching said chute to the docking device. The chute is positioned over the docking device (FIG. 5). The chute is comprised of two non-ridge linkages 14 which run from behind the back of the docking device to in front of the front of the docking device on either side of the longitudinal center axis 16 of the docking device. Reference to the “front” of the docking device and chute represents the side that would hold or lift the bow of the boat. Reference to the “back” or “rear” of the docking device and chute represents side that would hold or lift the stern of the boat. “Longitudinal center axis” 16 represents a straight reference line drawn through the center of the front of the docking device through the center of the back of the docking device. The chute extends behind the back of the docking device. At the back, the chute is slightly narrower than the boat. The chute then narrows as it extends forward over the docking device to its front, which is in front of the docking device.

The invention can be used in combination with a variety of docking devices (FIGS. 5, 7, & 8). The docking device being used will affect how the invention is mounted. If the invention is being used on a boat slip (FIG. 8), it will be mounted differently that if it is being used on a boat lift (FIG. 5). Likewise, if the invention is being used on a boat trailer (FIG. 7), it will be mounted differently that if it is being used on a boat slip (FIG. 8). In each case, the invention must be mounted such that the chute is above the docking device and narrows from the back to the front. The detailed description that follows describes the invention as mounted on a boat lift.

Each end of the linkage that forms the chute attaches to a lever 18. The levers are fixed in a specific position suitable for the application. The end of the lever 18 that is opposite the linkage 14 attaches to a fulcrum 20. The fulcrums provide means for fixing the levers in the desired location. Each fulcrum springably attaches to a mounting plate 24. The mounting plates provide means for mounting the fulcrums at various angles within the horizontal plane. Each mounting plate 24 attaches to a mounting arm 26. The mounting arms 26 mount to the boat lift. Each combination of a lever, fulcrum, mounting plate, and mounting arm configured as described above is referred to herein as an assembly (FIGS. 1, 2, & 3).

Two assemblies are mounted to the front of the boat lift and two assemblies are mounted to the back of the boat lift. The assemblies are mounted so the linkage attaching the two left assemblies, the space between the two front assemblies, the linkage attaching the two right assemblies, and the space between the two back assemblies, form an isosceles trapezoid pattern (trapezoid is being used with its North American definition, a quadrilateral with two parallel sides). The linkage between the left-front assembly and left-back assembly forms the left nonparallel side of the trapezoid, the space between the front assemblies forms the short parallel side of the trapezoid, the linkage between the right-front assembly and the right-rear assembly forms the right nonparallel side of the trapezoid, and the space between the back assemblies forms the long parallel side of the trapezoid. The placement of the assemblies relative to the left and right sides of the boat lift is such that the trapezoid is approximately centered on the boat lift (FIG. 4). The exact position of each assembly will be tailored to the specific application.

Linkage

Non-rigid linkage 14 runs from a point at or near the top (top meaning end opposite the fulcrum) of the left-front lever to a point at or near the top of the left-back lever. The two right levers are attached by linkage in the same manner. The linkage 14 can be any kind of cable, rope, or chain. The linkage 14 must be of a sufficient diameter to absorb the forces exerted upon it by the boat without breaking. The two linkages form the chute into which the operator of the boat directs the boat when entering the lift. The linkage 14 is covered in a material, such as neoprene or leather, that will allow the boat to contact the linkage and exert force on the linkage without damaging or scratching the boat.

Levers

The levers 18 are elongated members that extend the ends of the linkages 14 down to the fulcrums 20. The levers 18 hold the linkages above the lifting member of the boat lift. The levers are made of rigid pipe. The cross-section of this pipe can be of various shapes. The levers shown in the drawings use pipe with a square cross-section. The levers are telescoping to allow for the adjustment of the length of the lever. Once the desired length is reached, a set-screw 28 is used to fix the lever at that length. Each lever has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the lever attaches to the linkage. The top end of each lever has an eyelet 30 for attaching the linkage 14. The bottom end of the lever attaches to the fulcrum 20. The attachment to the fulcrum is accomplished by running a bolt 32 through the lever near the bottom of the lever.

When the invention is in use the rear levers will come into contact with the boats hull. For this reason, the levers must be equipped with a mechanism to allow the boat's hull to roll or glide against the levers as it enters the lift. One such mechanism is a plastic pipe 34 with a round cross-section being placed over the lever. The plastic pipe is not fixed to anything and thus can spin on the lever when the boat's hull pushes against it.

When the invention is in use, the levers are not allowed to pivot on the fulcrums. When the invention is being set-up, the position of the levers is selected by pivoting the levers on the fulcrums.

Mounting the Levers

Various means of attaching the levers to the docking device will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the means of attaching the levers to the docking device will vary based on the docking device to which the invention is being mounted. For example, the invention may be mounted directly to the lifting member of a boat lift in certain circumstances. Conversely, mounting of the invention to a boat slip may require the construction of a frame under the slip. It is foreseeable that certain applications may require that the invention be mounted to posts driven into a lakebed or riverbed. The following description of fulcrums, mounting plates, and mounting arms used to mount the invention to a boat lift is one example of a means for mounting the invention. It is presented as an example and in no way limits the scope the claimed invention.

Fulcrums

The fulcrums 20 provide means for attaching the levers. The fulcrums 20 are a rigid channel into which the bottoms of the levers are inserted. The profile of the fulcrum is an approximate half-circle with the bottom of the channel being the flat side. The fulcrum has holes though the walls of the channel to accommodate bolts. Each hole goes through both walls of the channel. One hole is near the center of the half-circle near the bottom of the channel. An array of holes are along the outside of the half-circle 36. The lever 18 is anchored to the fulcrum 20 near the bottom of the channel and near the center of the half-circle. The lever is anchored to the fulcrum by running a bolt 32 in through one wall of the channel, through the lever, and out through the opposite wall of the channel. The lever is fixed in the desired position by placing bolts 38 through the channel near the outside of the half-circle in front of and behind the lever. These bolts block the path that the lever would pivot through. The fulcrum 20 has holes through the bottom of the channel on either side of center. These holes accommodate bolts that attach the fulcrums to the mounting plates.

Mounting Plates

The fulcrums mount to mounting plates 24. The mounting plates 24 are flat, broad, rigid members with an array of holes through them. The mounting plates are positioned such that the broad, flat, face is approximately horizontal. The fulcrums 20 mount to the top of the mounting plates 24. The broad, flat, surface of the mounting plates has the approximate shape of a quarter-circle. One hole is near what would be the center of the circle. Several holes 44 are near the outside edge of the quarter-circle. The fulcrum is attached to the mounting plate with two bolts. One bolt runs through a hole in the bottom of the channel of the fulcrum and through the hole in the mounting plate that is near where the center of the circle would be. This bolt must either be counter-sunk or threaded into the mounting plate (without a nut) to avoid interference with the mounting arm 26. A second bolt runs through a hole in the bottom of the channel of the fulcrum at the opposite end and through one of the several holes near the outside edge of the quarter-circle. The position of the fulcrum is determined by which holes are selected.

The mounting plate 24 attaches to the mounting arm 26. The bottom face of mounting plate rests on the top face of the mounting arm. The mounting plate is springably attached to the mounting arm. The attachment is accomplished by extending two bolts through the through the mounting plate, then through the mounting arm, and finally through a spring 22. The spring 22 is in compression. These bolts are counter sunk into the mounting plate 24 to avoid interference with the fulcrum 20. This configuration allows the linkage, lever, fulcrum, mounting plate assembly to give or tilt when the boat exerts force on the linkage.

Mounting Arms

The mounting arms 26 are elongated members that run from the lift to the mounting plate 24. The mounting arms 26 are made of rigid pipe. The cross-section of this pipe can be of various shapes. The mounting arms shown in the drawings use pipe with a rectangular cross-section. The mounting arms 26 are telescoping to allow for the adjustment of the length of the mounting arms. Once the desired length is reached, a set-screw 48 is used to fix the mounting arms at that length. One end of the mounting arm attaches to the boat lift. This attachment can be accomplished in various ways. The drawings depict the attachment being made by using bolts to clamp 50 the end of the mounting arm to the lift. The opposite end of the mounting arm attaches to the mounting plate as described above. This end of the mounting arm has a flat, broad, face 52 immediately under the mounting plate. This flat, broad, face 52 provides leverage against the give allowed by the springs 22 attaching the mounting plates 24 to the mounting arms 26.

Set-Up

The invention must be tailored to a specific boat and boat lift. The assemblies will be attached to the boat lift in the trapezoid pattern described above. The assemblies will attach by fixing the appropriate end of the mounting arms to the boat lift. The front mounting arms are attached inside of the front corners of the lift. The location of attachment of the mounting arms impacts the location of the linkage and chute. Thus, the location of the front mounting arms is heavily dependent upon the width and shape of the boats hull. The front mounting arms need to be close enough together that the force of the linkage centers the boat and stops the boats forward movement at the desired location. If the linkages are too close together, the boat's forward motion will be stopped before it reaches the desired location on the lift. The rear mounting arms are mounted near the rear corners of the lift. The rear mounting arms should be mounted slightly narrower than the width of the boat. This will cause the distance between the rear levers to be narrower than the boat's hull.

Once attached, the length of the mounting arm must be set. The front mounting arms must be long enough that the boat's hull does not contact them until it is completely in the lift. If the arms are too short, the boat will not be able to reach the desired location on the lift. If the arms are too long, the boat will be able to travel past the desired location on the lift. This length will be heavily dependent on the size and shape of the boat and must be tailored to the specific situation. The rear mounting arms should be extended far enough behind the lift that the invention aligns the boat before it gets to the lifting member. This length will often be within a range of 24 to 54 inches, however, the length could be shorter or longer in certain applications.

After adjusting the length of the mounting arms, the position and orientation of the levers is adjusted by positioning the fulcrums on the mounting plates and pivoting the levers in the fulcrums. There are many possible variations on the position of the levers using these two adjustments. In most applications, the rear levers should be adjusted so that the shape of the opening created by the rear levers resembles the cross-sectional shape of the boat's hull. Hence, if the boat's hull has a “V” shape, the rear fulcrums should be positioned so that they are near perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the boat lift. The rear levers should then be pivoted away from the longitudinal center axis of the boat lift at an angle similar to the shape of the boat's hull. If the boat's hull has a “U” shape, the orientation of the rear fulcrum's is less important and the rear levers should be pivoted to a near vertical position.

The front levers should be positioned to avoid interference with the boats hull as it enters the lift. In most applications, the front fulcrums will be nearly parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the lift with the levers pivoted forward away from the lift.

Operation

As a boat approaches a lift equipped with the invention the boat operator directs the boat between the two rear levers. The boat will come into contact with the rear levers because they are mounted slightly narrower than the width of the boat. If the boat is not centered between the levers, the contact with the lever on either side will tend to push the boat towards center. When both sides of the boat are in contact with the rear levers on the respective sides, the force of the boat on the levers will compress the springs holding the levers in place. This will cause the rear levers to tilt away from center and allow the boat to continue forward into the lift. The force of the rear levers against the hull will keep the boat centered. The boat's hull next comes into contact with the linkages on either side. The force of the linkage on the hull of the boat will keep the boat centered as the boat continues into the lift. When the stern of the boat proceeds past the rear levers, the springs will pull the rear levers back into their resting position. As the boat continues forward, the bow will come into contact with the front levers. This will stop the boat in the correct position. The friction between the hull and the linkage will keep the boat in the proper location while the boat lift is raised.

To exit the boat left, the operator propels the boat in reverse. When the force of the propulsion in reverse overcomes the force of the friction between the hull and the linkage the boat begins to move backward. The rear levers again tilt away from center in response to the force of the boat and the boat moves backward out of the chute.

Embodiment with Three Levers

The invention can be made with three levers rather than four (FIG. 9). To accomplish this, one central lever would support the front of both the left and right linkages. The invention would then take on a triangular configuration rather than a trapezoid configuration. The components would be the same as described above except that only one front mounting arm, mounting plate, fulcrum, and lever would be required. Set-up and operation would be the same as described above.

Embodiment with Pivoting Levers

The invention can be made in such a way that the levers are allowed to pivot as the boat enters the lift (FIGS. 10, 11, & 12). This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment but with the following differences. The levers are allowed to pivot on the fulcrums from a pre-selected, backward-leaning position to a pre-selected forward-leaning position. The levers also have a second linkage running between the two right levers and the two left levers. This second linkage runs from a point on the back of and near the bottom of the back lever, down the lever, under the bottom of the back lever, forward toward the front lever, under the bottom of the front lever, and up the front of the front lever to a position near the bottom of that lever. This second linkage transfers forces between the levers as they pivot. In this embodiment of the invention, the rear levers are positioned slightly wider than the boat. In this embodiment of the invention, the two left fulcrums must be nearly parallel with each other and the two right fulcrums must be nearly parallel with each other. This causes the two left levers to pivot in near parallel planes and the two right levers to pivot in near parallel planes.

Operation of Embodiment with Pivoting Levers

This embodiment has to positions; open and closed. The open position describes the position of the invention when the boat is not present. In the open position, all four levers are pivoted to lean backward (towards a position located behind the invention). The levers are held in this position by the pre-selected resting point on the fulcrums and by gravity. The appropriate lever position will need to be tailored to the specific situation. The front levers will similarly be leaning in a backwards direction. Because of the trapezoid pattern of the fulcrums and the backward leaning levers, the opening formed by the top of the left, back lever and the top of the right, back lever (chute opening) may be wider than the docking device. This makes entering the chute easier for the operator than entering a conventional docking device.

As a boat approaches the invention the boat operator directs the boat between the two rear levers and into the chute formed by the linkage. As the boat proceeds forward in the chute, the chute narrows. The boat will come into contact with the linkages that form the left and right sides of the chute. The linkages will exert a responsive force on the boat that will cause the boat to center in the chute. As the boat continues to proceed forward the bow of the boat will come into contact with the front levers. The operator will continue to propel the boat forward and the boat will push on the front levers causing them to pivot forward. The linkage will transfer the force on the front levers to the back levers causing the back levers to pivot forward. The boat operator continues to propel the boat forward until the front levers have pivoted past vertical to their pre-selected resting point in the closed position. Likewise the back levers are pulled forward by the linkage to the pre-selected resting point in the closed position. The invention is now in the closed position. The back levers in the closed position, and friction between the boat's hull and the linkage, prevent the boat from floating out of the invention.

To exit the invention, the operator begins to propel the boat in reverse. When the boat is being propelled with enough force to overcome the friction from the linkage, the boat begins to remove force from the front levers and to exert a force on the back levers. This causes the back levers to pivot into the open position releasing the boat. As the back levers pivot into the open position, they pull the front levers into the open position. Hence, the boat leaving the invention returns the invention to the open position so that it is ready to accept the boat when it returns.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. 

1. An apparatus for guiding a boat onto or into a boat docking device, said apparatus comprising: a) two linkages for guiding a boat into position on the docking device, one linkage on the left side of the longitudinal center axis of the docking device and one linkage on the right side of the longitudinal center axis of the docking device, each linkage having a front end and a back end; and b) four levers, one lever corresponding to the front end of the left linkage, one lever corresponding to the back end of the left linkage, one lever corresponding to the front end of the right linkage one lever corresponding to the back end of the right linkage, each lever having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of each lever being attached to the corresponding end of the linkage, and holding said linkage in place relative to the boat docking device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the levers are attached to fulcrums allowing the levers to be pivoted at various angles.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fulcrums are mounted springably allowing them to tilt when the levers are contacted by a boat.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the fulcrums are attached to mounting plates that allow for the adjustment of the orientation of the fulcrums.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the mounting plates are attached to mounting arms that allow for adjustment in location of the mounting plates.
 6. An apparatus for guiding a boat onto or into a boat docking device, said apparatus comprising: a) two non-parallel linkages for guiding a boat into position on the docking device, one said linkage on the left side of the longitudinal center axis of the docking device and one linkage on the right side of the longitudinal center axis of the docking device, each linkage having a front end and a back end, the front end of said linkages intersecting a point in front of said docking device; and b) three levers, two back levers, one corresponding to the back end of each linkage, and one front lever corresponding to the point where the front of the linkages meet, said levers holding said linkage in place relative to the boat docking device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the levers are attached to fulcrums allowing the levers to be pivoted at various angles.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fulcrums are mounted springably allowing them to tilt when the levers are contacted by a boat.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fulcrums are attached to mounting plates that allow for adjustment in location and orientation of the fulcrums.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mounting plates are attached to mounting arms that allow for adjustment in location of the mounting plates.
 11. A method for guiding a boat into a boat docking device comprising a) providing linkages positioned on either side of the longitudinal center axis of the boat docking device at a height that the linkages will contact the boat's hull, b) contacting a floating boat with the linkages, the contact tending to center the boat between the linkages.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of allowing friction between the boat and the linkages to hold the boat in position on the docking device. 